Bitmaps are also accepted as assets to use in Flash, and this includes png, jpeg, gif, psd, and many other file formats. It is important to understand that each of these files have very specific uses and they also have different file sizes which adds another worry for the user.

Learning objectives for this section

Recognize the several different options accepted in Flash for images.

Learn to use the bitmap properties palette.

Learn all the information provided in the bitmap properties palette and the significance of each to the animator.

Control and manage all the different options in the bitmap properties palette to edit images.

Learn to compress images to control file size.

Become aware of quality reduction when optimizing and or compressing images.

Learn the concept of moving images to create a movie.

Lean to import a sequence of images to create a movie.

Recognize the importance of controlling the fps for movies to take into account the computer hardware of the viewer.

Learn the importance of maintaining the aspect ratios of movies and or images.

Another aspect of animation in Flash is text animation. Text animation is far more than just making text move around on the stage. text animation provides the user limitless opportunities to create extremely vivid and exiting animation. Learning objectives for this section

Create simple text for motion tween animation.

Recognize when text needs to be broken apart before creating an animation.

Learn to break text apart by using this option in the main menu.

Distribute all letters in different layer by using the “distribute to layers” option in the main menu.

Create each letter into symbols.

Learn to minimize file size by eliminating repeated objects in the library, thereby forcing the user to create instances instead.

Normally, Flash would create all the in-between animation between two specific keyframes including the way a shape is animated in those frames. But Flash also provides the user additional controls for controlling how a shape is animated within those frames. Motion Guides are those additional controls that can be used to specifically tell Flash how an object is moved in an animation.

Learning objectives for this section

Recognize the use for motion guides.

Become familiar and identify the buttons and tools for creating motion guides.

Learn to re-size photographs by using the properties palette.

Create a simple animation of an object falling from top to the bottom of the min stage.

Insert a motion guide layer.

Draw a path for the motion guides using the pencil tool.

Identify the options in the properties palette for orienting to path in easing motion guides.

Control the speed of the motion guides by using both methods.

Learn to control the speed of guides in the control ease in and out graph.